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Days before his death, AMU teacher SR Siras had written a letter to the University authorities claiming that the February 8 sting operation, which led to his suspension on charges of indulging in gay sex, was a conspiracy to deprive him of his right to appear before a selection committee for promotion.

In the letter dated March 8, addressed to the AMU Vice Chancellor, Siras wrote, "I have come to learn that a Selection Committee is scheduled for the post of professors in the Department for which I am a candidate.

"It appears that the allegations against me leading to my suspension was deliberate and mischievous to discredit me in the eyes of the University fraternity and the Selection Committee," he wrote in the letter, a copy of which was attained by this correspondent.

It also sought postponement of the Selection Committee till his name was "cleared and the mischief unearthed so that when I face the Selection Committee I do not find it to hold any prejudice on the ground that disciplinary proceedings are pending against me".

Siras (62), a reader in Modern Indian Languages, was found dead on April 7 at his residence, days after he was suspended on charges of having consensual homosexual act with a rickshaw-puller. Last week, two video journalists, who allegedly conducted a sting operation on him, were arrested.

According to AMU sources, there is "no evidence that Siras had received any reply to his letter. It was only after the Allahabad High Court revoked the suspension of Siras on April 12 that he enjoyed some respite ..."

University officials admitted the selection committee meeting was ultimately held during his suspension period.

However, a senior AMU official strongly denied any malafide intentions towards Siras and clarified that the interview held was that for the post of Professor in Malayalam language and not Marathi, which was Siras' subject.

Meanwhile, a senior investigating officer said probe into the case is making "satisfactory progress".

Since the past three days, police have questioned a number of officials from the Aligarh Muslim University, mainly colleagues of the deceased teacher belonging to the Department of Modern Indian Languages where he had taught for more than two decades.

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